Can one piece of advice turn your life around? Yes, it can. One piece of good advice can set a life on a never-dreamed-of course. The person one becomes and the path one pursues in life often pivot on a chance encounter, a fortuitous word, a gratuitous helping hand.

Vince Reardon reached out to 101 high achievers—not celebrities, but men and women who have made a difference in the lives of others—and posed one question: “What one piece of advice do you wish you had received when you were graduating from college or starting out in life?”

What do a mountain climber, a cellist, a NASA flight director, an ex-convict and a police officer have in common? Two things. All are leaders who have made a positive difference in the world and they, along with 20 other notable Americans, are profiled in “Legacy: Passing on Cherished Values in a Values-Starved World.”

During 2008-2009 as the world economy teetered on the brink of financial collapse, concerns mounted about America’s declining values and leadership in the world. Day after day the media related stories of amoral Wall Street bankers, out-of-touch CEOs, womanizing politicians, drug-doping athletes and over-the-top talk show hosts and their enraged listeners. Vince Reardon found 25 men and women of true distinction who held themselves to a higher standard of conduct.

"Too often we focus on the big heroes and heroines of history and ignore the multitude of more ordinary mortals who are engaged courageously in a wide diversity of projects to bring more kindness, more intelligence, more humane values, more honesty into the world. Our world today surely needs to pay attention to the inspiring stories of such people. Vince Reardon in his fine book offers brief but compelling profiles of the vision and commitment of twenty five notable individuals who share their wisdom about promoting and sustaining important values in today’s world. Each profile offers insight and inspiration."

William C. French, Associate Professor of Theology, Theology Department, Loyola University of Chicago

"Chocked full of fascinating stories, gems of wisdom, and the drama of lives lived to the fullest. 'Legacy' lives up to its name by offering the real stories of those whose lives have expressed their deepest values. The book forces us to reflect on our own lives and careers, and asks us the tough questions: what motivates your life? What are the values you live by? And what is your legacy?"

"Vince Reardon has done a magnificent job of capturing valuable lessons from a broad spectrum of people who change lives. He has given readers a gift through his work and his words. This book embodies the essence of "legacy thinking" and what we can learn from it. How much better our lives can be if we follow even a small amount of what he has uncovered. Thank you, Vince Reardon, for writing this."

Robert Galford, Managing Partner, Center for Leading Organizations, co-author of "The Trusted Advisor", "The Trusted Leader", and "Your Leadership Legacy"

"How should we live our lives? Vince Reardon has assembled the dramatic stories of 25 men and women who have made a positive difference in today's world. Whether we are just starting out on life's path or looking back on the roads we have already taken, these inspiring accounts will provide invaluable lessons on virtue, commitment, and leaving a legacy for future generations."

Dan P. McAdams, Professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Northwestern University and author of "The Redemptive Self: Stories Americans Live By"